diff --git a/classifier/js/app.js b/classifier/js/app.js
index 329ff80..3afc440 100644
--- a/classifier/js/app.js
+++ b/classifier/js/app.js
@@ -378,6 +378,9 @@
     async function openDirectory(dirHandle) {
         app.rootHandle = dirHandle;
         enterAppShell();
+        // Default to Classify & Copy (the primary workflow). The user can switch
+        // to "Rename in place" via the toggle for the spreadsheet.
+        setMode('classify');
         // Now scan directory (this will trigger store updates and renders)
         await app.modules.scanner.scanDirectory(dirHandle);
     }
diff --git a/classifier/template.html b/classifier/template.html
index 36f3843..c53be4f 100644
--- a/classifier/template.html
+++ b/classifier/template.html
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@
                     <button id="addDirectoryBtn" class="btn btn-primary">Use Local Directory</button>
                     <button id="refreshHeaderBtn" class="btn btn-secondary hidden" title="Refresh and rescan directory" aria-label="Refresh" style="font-size:1.1rem;">⟳</button>
                     <div class="mode-switch" id="modeSwitch" role="group" aria-label="Workflow mode">
-                        <button id="modeRenameBtn" class="mode-btn active" title="Rename files in place (edits the source)">Rename</button>
-                        <button id="modeClassifyBtn" class="mode-btn" title="Map files onto target trees and copy renamed copies to an output directory — source is never modified">Classify &amp; Copy</button>
+                        <button id="modeClassifyBtn" class="mode-btn active" title="Map files onto tracking numbers and transmittals, then copy renamed copies to an output directory — the source is never modified">Classify &amp; copy</button>
+                        <button id="modeRenameBtn" class="mode-btn" title="Edit a spreadsheet and rename the files in place (edits the source)">Rename in place</button>
                     </div>
                     <button id="workspacesBtn" class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" title="Workspaces — open or create a classification project">≡ Workspaces</button>
                 </div>
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@
                     <div class="resize-handle" id="treeResizeHandle"></div>
                 </aside>
 
-                <!-- Spreadsheet Table -->
-                <main class="spreadsheet-pane" id="spreadsheetPane">
+                <!-- Spreadsheet Table (Rename in place) -->
+                <main class="spreadsheet-pane" id="spreadsheetPane" hidden>
                     <div class="pane-header">
                         <div class="pane-header-left">
                             <h3>Files</h3>
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@
                     </div>
                 </main>
 
-                <!-- Target Trees (Classify & Copy mode) -->
-                <main class="target-pane" id="targetPane" hidden>
+                <!-- Target Trees (Classify & Copy mode) — default view -->
+                <main class="target-pane" id="targetPane">
                     <div class="pane-header">
                         <div class="target-tabs" role="tablist">
                             <button class="target-tab active" id="trackingTab" role="tab">By tracking number</button>
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@
                         <div id="workspaceList" class="ws-list"><!-- rendered --></div>
                     </section>
 
-                    <p class="ws-or">— or — rename a folder of files <strong>in place</strong>: click <strong>Use Local Directory</strong> above (quick, no workspace).</p>
+                    <p class="ws-or">— or — click <strong>Use Local Directory</strong> above to open a folder <strong>without</strong> saving a workspace (good for a quick look or an in-place rename via the “Rename in place” toggle).</p>
 
                     <!-- Browser Compatibility Warning -->
                     <div id="browserWarning" class="browser-warning hidden">